The role of the mathematics teacher is fundamental in the educational process, playing a crucial role in the intellectual, cognitive and creative development of students. Many students face challenges when learning mathematics, but a dedicated teacher can help them overcome these difficulties.
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Two notable examples are Rita Nogueira, from Escola Estadual Professor Fábregas, in Luminárias, in the center-west of Minas Gerais, and Silmara Silva, from Escola Estadual David Campista, in Poços de Caldas, in the south of the state, who are among the 20 finalists of the Olympics of High School Mathematics Teachers (OBMBr).
These teachers, who are part of the teaching staff of the State Department of Education of Minas Gerais (SEE/MG), were selected from among 600 registered in the first edition of the competition. The award recognizes teachers with excellent performance in the classroom and the winners of the gold category will be announced in an online event this Wednesday (27/3).
In addition to teaching concepts such as geometry, statistics and trigonometry, taking care of students makes all the difference in teaching mathematics. Rita Nogueira emphasizes the importance of adapting the discipline to the students’ reality, highlighting that education is intrinsically linked to the social and cultural function of the school.
Rita states: “Teaching mathematics is challenging, and every year I try to adapt this subject to the life context of the students in my classroom.” She is recognized for her efforts in preparing students for competitions such as the Brazilian Public School Mathematics Olympiad (Obmep) and the National High School Exam (Enem).
In turn, Silmara Silva prioritizes creating a safe and welcoming learning environment in her classroom, using resources such as games, videos and technology to aid teaching. However, she highlights that care, love and respect for students are fundamental. Silmara believes in the importance of making the classroom a space where students feel comfortable asking questions and expressing their doubts without fear of judgment.
The competition, created by engineers from the Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), seeks to value mathematics teaching and research in Brazil. The participant evaluation process included three stages: test, video presentation of work in the classroom and interview.
The winners will be awarded in a virtual ceremony, broadcast on the OPMBr website. Furthermore, the ten award-winning teachers will have the opportunity to participate in a 15-day technical and cultural exchange in Shanghai, China, recognized for their performance in the International Student Assessment Program (Pisa). After the trip, 50 workshops are planned to be held in 50 cities, where the winners will share their experiences and knowledge to improve mathematics teaching across the country.
Tags: Public school teachers Minas Gerais shine competition title Mathematics Teachers Brazil
